Fhaliona

Wounded Pride

The unknown paladin swiftly but carefully took the warrior back to the medic camp outside the city walls. Fhaliona would have complained had she not blacked out from blood loss. Her colleagues who were assisting the wounded took in the new casualty with shock. The large Lightforged from the war camp rushed over. “What happened?!”

The Human paladin set Fhaliona down gently and scoffed, “This idiot tried to take on Saurfang alone. She's lucky she made it out with only a leg wound.”

“Dear Light,” the Draenei muttered just barely under his breath, scooping Fhaliona up and taking her to the nearest medic while the Human returned to the battle. He would scold her later when she'd regained consciousness. A Dwarven medic stripped off the damaged armor and did her best to stem the bleeding, and eventually the wound clotted over but it would need far more serious attention than they were equipped for. Fhaliona was laid outside of the immediate triage area for later treatment when the camp heard a series of explosions from inside the city walls. Great clouds of blight now encompassed the entire city.

An Elven death knight - one with extensive experience with blight - turned her eyes to the ruins. “We should probably evacuate. If that stuff reaches here, we'll have nasty cases of infection on our hands. Anyone here who can open portals to the cities?”

A half dozen mages raised their hands and began conjuring portals; Orgrimmar for members of the Horde, and Stormwind for the Alliance wounded. Slowly the camp staff carried the fallen through the portals to their respective cities. The teal-haired druid carried Fhaliona with some difficulty. “I've got this one. She can be stubborn and will likely protest getting more help.” The druid went through the portal and immediately headed to the Stormwind Emergency Response Unit, followed by a great white warbear.

Fhaliona groaned and began to awaken. “Wha-... Where is he?”

The druid wasted no time in scolding the warrior. “We're in Stormwind, and you are getting some healing.”

“No!” Fhaliona struggled weakly in the druid's grasp, but the Elf held tight. “I must finish this!”

“You're not finishing anything. The King is holding Saurfang in the Stockades. YOU need to settle down.” The Elf sniffed and made a sour face. “You're covered in blight with an open wound. You're going to end up with gangrene. What good are you with one leg?!”

Fhaliona huffed but did as the druid said and ceased struggling. “At least let my bear carry me. You are barely keeping me off the ground.” The Kaldorei gently set the Lightforged on the back of the bear, the latter leaning heavily upon the former's shoulder while she settled into the saddle. The druid shifted to cat form and escorted Fhaliona across the city.

When they reached the ERU, a Worgen met them at the entrance. “What seems to be the problem?”

“I have been... wounded,” Fhaliona hissed.

“I dragged her here so it doesn't get infected,” the druid added.

The healer regarded the pair a moment. “Alright. Can you get her to a bed?” Fhaliona carefully slid off her bear and whispered to him to wait outside, leaning on the great cat as she limped inside to the nearest cot. “Your friend was right to bring you here,” the healer said while examining the wound.

The druid settled herself on the floor beside the cot. “Our medics were able to stop the bleeding, but I fear it may be a bit more serious than we could handle. I got her here as quickly as I could, and I'm not about to let her lose a leg.”

The healer finished removing the bandages and winced at the sight, while Fhaliona sat stoically still. The wound definitely hurt, but she wasn't about to show it. “This is bad, but the bleeding has stopped. Can you walk at all?”

Fhaliona looked at an point on the ceiling. “Yes. Slowly, and not without a limp, but yes. My armor absorbed most of the blow. Without it, I fear I would have lost my leg entirely.”

“Good, that means it's not dead. I'll do a healing spell to help mend the tissue, but it will take a few days to heal fully.” The healer began casting a minor heal spell, and much of the pain began to dissipate. “How are you feeling now?”

Fhaliona carefully stretched her leg, surprised at how much better it felt. “That is better. Thank you.”

The cat by the bedside rumbled. “If someone would have stayed in ranks, this wouldn't have happened. You're lucky it wasn't infected with blight.”

This earned a scowl from Fhaliona. “And miss my chance? I think not.”

The healer looked between the pair before focusing on the warrior. “Well, you are welcome to stay and rest as long as you need. You were very lucky.”

Fhaliona stood carefully from the cot, testing her leg before putting weight on it and offering a small bow. “I suppose it's not often that one survives a blow from a Warlord.”

The cat stuck her tongue out at the warrior before dipping her head to the healer, then as the healer turned to treating other patients the two made their way back outside. “Do you need a walking cane, old woman?”

Fhaliona scowled again, earning a snicker from the druid. “I think not! You didn't need to do this, I would have been fine. Nothing a few proper stitches wouldn't fix.”

“You would have ended up with a peg leg! That was no ordinary opponent.”

“I would have had him, had I not lost focus.”

“You still could have died. You need to be more careful. You get... scary.”

The warrior laughed outright, a rare sound coming from her lips. “'Careful' costs time. Lost time costs lives. You and I both know this well.” The cat huffed at her and shook her great feline head. “I am certain I will have another opportunity to give that green-skin the honorable death he so desires.”

“Your quest for revenge will kill you, Fhal,” the druid grumbled at her friend.

Fhaliona waved dismissively. “I welcome the day an opponent truly gets the best of me.” Her features softened slightly at the worried look the Elf-cat was giving her. “You don't have to babysit me, if the boss has other things for you to do.”

The druid chuckled before shifting into a stormcrow. “Since when do you order me around? Stay out of trouble, would you?”

“I will not be rejoining the battle for some time,” the Lightforged sighed.

“Good,” the bird said simply before heading out to find others to help.

Mentions: @eitaam, @zenobya, @xanthia